Drew Magee knows a thing or two about playing and competing at Memorial Field.
Before heading to Norwich University for his undergrad and graduate studies, Magee played varsity lacrosse and football for Concord and experienced first-hand the limitations of the city’s athletic facilities compared to other high schools around the state.
“It was always hard to get ground balls or judge where the ball’s going to go, because it hits the ground and it just goes every direction,” Magee recalled.
As part of his Master’s degree in architecture and design, he focused his thesis on his hometown field and what it could become if it were redesigned.
His vision for the park is more expansive and larger than anything proposed by the Joint Memorial Field Planning Committee. He shared his plans with the Concord Parks and Recreation Department and never received a response.
Renderings of Drew Magee’s Master of Architecture thesis focused on Memorial Field. Credit: Drew Magee / Courtesy 
Renderings of Drew Magee’s Master of Architecture thesis focused on Memorial Field. Credit: Drew Magee / Courtesy 
Renderings of Drew Magee’s Master of Architecture thesis focused on Memorial Field. Credit: Drew Magee / Courtesy 
Renderings of Drew Magee’s Master of Architecture thesis focused on Memorial Field. Credit: Drew Magee / Courtesy 
Renderings of Drew Magee’s Master of Architecture thesis focused on Memorial Field. Credit: Drew Magee / Courtesy
He focused on sustainability and included solar and wind power in the project to bring down long-term maintenance and energy costs of hosting events.
On top of the energy sources, he put a lot of thought into how to use low-carbon recycled materials that were cost-effective and available locally.
Magee spent the better part of a year exploring facilities across the country as he traveled for college lacrosse and abroad for the project. A trip to the Netherlands inspired his vision for solar-powered lights and wind-powered irrigation systems.
He found a type of concrete that can absorb carbon, recycled steel, and even recycled glass, alongside local granite that would be staples of the structure.
In terms of greenery, he investigated native shrubbery that would fit Concord and beautify the park. Maples, cherries and evergreens, with plenty of flower bushes, would make the park constantly green, he said.
“It was looking at stuff that’s on the cheaper side, and reusing stuff that we already have, instead of trying to remake new stuff,” he said.
He considered the need for both artificial turf and natural grass playing surfaces. He factored in more indoor spaces for student-athletes and the community, even adding a playground. The sky was the limit for his project.
He dreamed big and proposed that the city buy the state land at White Farm and add fields and facilities along Clinton Street. Expanding Memorial Field beyond its borders would undoubtedly cost much more than the city and school district were planning to pay for the project.
The actual Memorial Field planning committee is trying to downsize the project to speed up the work and keep costs down.
The planning committee will reconvene at the City Wide Community Center on Wednesday at 4 p.m., to go over the new estimated costs and plans for three new fields.
Multiple areas of Memorial Field have been shut down this spring. Getting Concord student-athletes back to practicing and competing is at the top of the list.
Whatever the city decides, Magee hopes they build something robust that will give the next generation of students something better and safer.
“You’re trying to design or build something that can do what Memorial Field’s already done. Last for 100 years or more, just something that can stay and last,” he said.
